Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 17?

The latest Fantasy Premier League captaincy debate is all about trust, something that has been in short supply recently.

Many of us are fresh from watching the most popular skipper blank in each of the last two Gameweeks, Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) still without a goal since Gameweek 14.

What’s worse, those two matches pitted league leaders Liverpool against so-called ‘lesser opposition’ in West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle.

Such freak results have become commonplace in 2020/21 as a busy fixture period, uncertainty over future matches and lack of fans have all impacted our Fantasy assets across the board. Since 2001, no team has ever occupied the Premier League’s top spot after 16 games with as few points as 33. Such a total would have placed you sixth in the division last season.

How will these factors play into the Gameweek 17 captaincy? Well, there is lots to unpack here.

Liverpool travel to face a stubborn Southampton defence, Bruno Fernandes (£11.2m) is up against an impressive Aston Villa team while the arguably out-of-form Harry Kane (£11.0m) and Son Heung-min (£9.7m) will be treated to Saturday lunch with Leeds’ gut-busting free-scoring Leeds outfit.

As ever, the Captain Sensible article is here to look into these options, comparing their individual form against the defensive capabilities and/or weaknesses of their upcoming opponents.

As this uses extensive data from the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area, only those with a valid subscription can access it in full.

Captain Poll

Salah’s struggles in front of goal over the last two Gameweeks seem very fresh in many people’s minds, as the Egyptian has failed to reach 10% of votes in this week’s captain poll so far.

That puts the Liverpool winger in the fourth-place behind Fernandes (32.5%), Kane (20.0%) and Son (17.0%).

The top-five is closed up by Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.9), with 5.2% of votes going the way of the Everton striker ahead of West Ham’s Friday evening trip to Goodison Park.

Jamie Vardy (4.7%) is the one to slightly miss out on the top-five this week, as Leicester visit Newcastle in Gameweek 17.

Perhaps surprisingly, in-form Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) gathered less than 1.0% of votes this week, despite extending his scoring run against Wolves. The Manchester United man now has five goals in his last six Premier League appearances

KEY MATCHES

Southampton v Liverpool

Liverpool finally hit top gear ahead of appealing festive schedule
968 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Weilong7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best matip replacement? Dier? But not so sure of the cs this gw against Leeds
    Has Dias zouma targett and 3.8

    1. The Invincibles
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      City defender?

  2. turd ferguson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Fabianski Mccarthy
    Dias Zouma Dallas Coufal Justin
    Bruno Salah Son Raphina Soucek
    Kane DCL BamBam

    This will be -8. Worth an extra hit for anyone else?

  3. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any new options you would consider with the fixtures change?

    1. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      For DGW

    2. The Invincibles
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Rashford is now very appealing.

  4. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best United defender to bring in?

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Apart from Maguire actually

      1. turd ferguson
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        AWB

        1. Hybrid.power
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks

    2. turd ferguson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Slab head

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Angry Bird.

  5. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Repost sorry

    Hi lads, how do I get Son and still use BB in GW19? Cheers!
    1FT, 1.4ITB

    Martinez,Button
    Chilwell,KWP,Justin,Coufal,Mitchell
    KDB,Mahrez,Salah,Bruno,Soucek
    Che,Bamford,Wood

    Thanks!

    1. The Invincibles
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Can you just do Mahrez to Son? I wouldn't be very confident Mahrez will play in 18 or both games in 19.

      1. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        0.1 short 🙁

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sell KDB

  6. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Where do I go with this team? 1FT 0.0itb. Looking at TC19

    Martinez
    Stones balbuena taylor*
    Salah kdb Bruno son soucek
    Kane bamford

    Forster kwp strujik davis

    1. Openboxman
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I just did Taylor to Holding. New in 19

  7. Openboxman
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is bowen going to come good?

    I can do Bowen & Brewster > Soucek & Antonio/ watkins over the next 2 weeks.

  8. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    5th yellow card bans only applies to PL games? Or can be done in cup games?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      YCs are PL only. RCs are cross-competition.

      1. Nespinha
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

  9. Fantasydreamer
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Bailey a risky pick if I want him for 19 double (assuming Lindelöf be fit by then?)

    1. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Too risky imo

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think so

  10. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I finally found the plan for my team but it has exact funds and Stones rising tonight would ruin everything...
    Is it still better to wait till tomorrow?

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd wait, we're climbing one of those ladders across ice flows in Everest ravines in a chaotic space. Wait until tomorrow afternoon for the entropy to reduce!

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        True!

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      City Chelsea game can still be called off

  11. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Robbo + Watkins
    Versus
    B) Dias + DCL

    Which one wins the battle till gw25 ?

  12. Openboxman
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Son or rashford for gw19?

    1. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son just for me. Both good options

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son

  13. In Bale We Trust
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Wrecking my head atm with this one lads. Appreciate any help as this fixture reshuffle is a real spanner in the works.

    Was planning to go for BB GW19 but need to raise funds to upgrade Ferguson and 4.0 goalkeeper.

    Only possible sacrificial players I can see are: Robertson, Grealish, Son, Kane

    Problem is surely it would be madness to lose any of these?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Very tricky that mate. Son stats don’t look very good. Grealish also doesn’t look that good

      1. In Bale We Trust
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Certainly is tricky. Grealish I would like to season keep, honestly I can see him continuing to tick over and he is as nailed as nailed can be.

        Son has great fixtures, explosive also...the fear of being burnt taking him out is big

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          What’s the team and I’ll try help!

        2. L S P
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          i'm in a similar boat, needing to upgrade my 3rd striked.

          Logic says lose Grealish as the fixtures are just dross but I wouldn't be surprised to see him return in every match.

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane to vardy for dgw 19

  14. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Yay or nay... C.Taylor+DCL >> Cancelo+Antonio for free? FH18, BB19.

    McCarthy
    Robbo, Dias, Coufal
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Raphinha
    DCL, Bamford, Adams
    (Johnstone, Dallas, Soucek, C.Taylor*)

    1. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks hoogood

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What is Hoogood that? Haha!

        1. In Bale We Trust
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Look like good moves! Would wait for as long as possible before making though. Cancelo rumoured to have COVID and Antonio still making his way back from injury

    2. Bounce
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Antonio over Watkins?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        So much better isn’t he? Except the injuries 🙁

    3. Bounce
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Selling DCL scares me with 57.2% ownership, but I think it has to be done.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Antonio mate?

    4. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You only have 11 dgw players atm. I'd try and get in at least 12 and if possible 13

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Huh??? I have 14 if Taylor plays? The only one is DCL? You confuse me

  15. merin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any suggestions on how to use this FT? Building a BB-team for DGW19 and using FH in BGW18

    Martinez Steer
    Chilwell Coufal Dallas KWP Lewis
    Salah Mané Bruno Son Bissouma
    DCL Bamford Wilson

    1 FT, 0.2 ITB

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wilson to Watkins or Adams

    2. Bounce
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      GW17: DCL > Watkins
      GW18: FH
      GW19: Lewis > Dias/Cancelo

      1. merin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Why Watkins? He doesn’t have double

        1. 1984 TC
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          He does now

          1. merin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah I saw. But its EVE and MCI... not very impressive

  16. FFFoxy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Will Fulham v Burnley go ahead? Any news?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nothing yet

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think city chealsea have more chance of being postponed than Fulham Burney imo

  17. Ruudy Van
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    For DGW19- what would you prefer?

    Option A consider triple captain
    James to Dias.
    9 DGW son & Dier

    Option B for -8 bench boost
    James to Dias
    4.0 to Fabs/Ederson
    Burke to raphina
    Or
    -12 and sell target for cancelo/stones assuming buying Fabs in goal.

    1. Ruudy Van
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Please ignore this and see below. I didn’t give enough context on option B

  18. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Balbuena Barnes Tammy

    Or Lowton Soucek Martial.

    The first of each set will be transferred or after gw19

  19. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Kwp dallas stones
    Neto bruno salah mahrez
    Dcl bam kane(c)

    Subs steer jwp cresswell lamptey

    Gtg? 1ft 0.9 itb

    Will you guys wildcard this team??

    1. Pukkipartyy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No...

  20. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have 3 Man U + Villa players so the fixture announcement has opened up some possibilities

    1) Stick to plan, FH 18, BB 19 with one hit
    2) Use 2FT to field 8 in GW 18, then a further 2FT to field 11 DGW players in GW 19 (Potentially TC Kevin)

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Both viable and good options

  21. insertcomedyname
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Not very exciting, but any issue with Lampety to Lowton? Not free hitting so want someone who plays both game weeks.

    Ta

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Uncertainty of the bur and ful game going ahead. Bur DGW are not appealing.

    2. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Go Holding

    3. insertcomedyname
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Good point re Fulham game. Just can’t find a cheap defender with three games over 18/19

  22. School of Poch
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Losing KDB for a hit before the City DGW stings a bit.

    Can anybody see any way to get any City assets in this team for DGW19 with 0ITB? FHing in GW18 so will have 1FT. Or would you go without City?

    Martinez / Forster
    Chilwell Dallas Coufal / Balbuena Neco
    Salah Bruno (c)Son Rashford / Riedewald
    Vardy Bamford Watkins

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son and Chilwell

      1. School of Poch
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Would that be worth a -4? Especially with Son having Sheffield Utd?

        1. Pukkipartyy
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Spurs scoring max 2 in that game.

  23. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If you were WC who would you get based on today’s news?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Man Utd
      Man City
      Villa

  24. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you bench boost with 1 keeper? Or play N.Williams and use a transfer to get another playing keeper instead and use bb?

    1. Ruudy Van
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Always have 2 keepers on bench boost. -4 for a keeper who will likely minimum get 4

  25. Ruudy Van
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    For DGW19- what would you prefer?

    Option A consider triple captain
    James to Dias.
    9 DGW son & Dier

    Option B for -8 bench boost
    13DGW + son dier

    James to Dias
    4.0 to Fabs/Ederson
    Burke to raphina
    Or
    -12 and sell target for cancelo/stones assuming buying Fabs in goal.

  26. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Plan is FH gw18 as only have 6 players.

    Should I hold on to BB rather than use it in 19 considering all the covid uncertainty?

    Have 2fts atm and don't know wat I should be aiming for..

  27. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pictures from Kane that he got a newborn. Does that means there is a chance he to miss the next game?

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Doubt it, if the baby is born and healthy there's no reason for him to miss a game.

    2. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah i feel he will miss next GW

    3. Pukkipartyy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep might miss it.

    4. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane will play especially after the spurs game qas postponed last night

  28. BEEZUS
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Need some help please lads.

    A) Taylor, Watkins --> Stones, Rodrigo for a -4

    B) Watkins/Adams --> Rodrigo no hit with the view of Taylor being back fit in time for GW19

    1. Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would keep Taylor if you have replacemant for him...he will be fit soon

      1. camarozz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Fit before 18 tho? Brought him in for his 8 minutes the other nite 🙁

        1. Z
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Ofc...2 weeks

          I have same problem here. And i told you what will i do

  29. Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    HELP HELP HELP

    Do you know anything new about fixtuers?

    Thank you lads!

  30. ludaslol
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    GW19

    A) Dias, Zambo
    B) Raphina, Dallas -4

    Who would you go for?

    1. Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B - ceiling is higher and could easily cover the hit